Pop Music

Green Day, — from left, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool — released the album “Father of All…” in February. (Courtesy Pamela Littky)

Green Day’s still vexed about planet’s sorry state

New album asks, How do you start a party as the world crumbles?

Green Day, — from left, Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool — released the album “Father of All…” in February. (Courtesy Pamela Littky)
The Tame Impala concert scheduled for March 13 at the Chase Center has been postponed to a to-be-determined date. (Courtesy Neil Krug)

Live Nation, AEG ‘recommend’ postponing large events

Major entertainment promoters call for halt to upcoming big shows

The Tame Impala concert scheduled for March 13 at the Chase Center has been postponed to a to-be-determined date. (Courtesy Neil Krug)
Third Eye Blind plays Oakland’s Fox on Friday, March 13. (Courtesy Eline J Duijjsens)

Stephan Jenkins takes on the world in ‘Screamer’

New Third Eye Blind album addresses climate change, police brutality

Third Eye Blind plays Oakland’s Fox on Friday, March 13. (Courtesy Eline J Duijjsens)
Outside Lands, offering something for fans of many genres, comes to Golden Gate Park again on Aug. 7-9, 2020. (Kevin Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Eager Beaver tickets on sale for Outside Lands

13th annual fest slated for Aug. 7-9 in Golden Gate Park

  • Mar 10, 2020
Outside Lands, offering something for fans of many genres, comes to Golden Gate Park again on Aug. 7-9, 2020. (Kevin Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been moved from April to October this year in the wake of public health threats. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Coachella festival posponed until October

Tickets for April dates to be honored in the fall

  • Mar 10, 2020
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been moved from April to October this year in the wake of public health threats. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Dave Pirner comes to town with Soul Asylum. (Courtesy Jenn Devereaux)

Soul Asylum, Keane, Clan of Xymox in The City

Longtime acts remain artistically relevant in 21st century

Dave Pirner comes to town with Soul Asylum. (Courtesy Jenn Devereaux)
Miranda Lambert has a positive outlook on her new album “Wildcard.” (Courtesy Bubba Sellars)

New music from Miranda Lambert, Best Coast, The Seshen

Artists deal with, and overcome, darkness in latest projects

Miranda Lambert has a positive outlook on her new album “Wildcard.” (Courtesy Bubba Sellars)
Raphael Saadiq says he wanted to “be a little bit more me” on his new recording. (Courtesy Aaron Rapoport)

Raphael Saadiq takes deeply personal turn on new album

Singer reflects on his late brother in ‘Jimmy Lee’

Raphael Saadiq says he wanted to “be a little bit more me” on his new recording. (Courtesy Aaron Rapoport)
Michael Des Barres plays music from his long, varied career at Bottom of the Hill on Feb. 22. (Courtesy photo)

Michael Des Barres, William DuVall, The Amazons in town

Veteran rockers boast long, varied careers

Michael Des Barres plays music from his long, varied career at Bottom of the Hill on Feb. 22. (Courtesy photo)
Bat For Lashes (aka Natasha Khan) has a new album “Lost Girls.” (Courtesy Logan White)

Bat For Lashes, Stonefield, Big Country on tour

BTL songwriter Natasha Khan busy with many diverse projects

Bat For Lashes (aka Natasha Khan) has a new album “Lost Girls.” (Courtesy Logan White)
Billie Ellish poses backstage at the 62nd Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

At 2020 Grammys, new stars bail out the old-boys-club academy

Billie Eilish, 18, wins album, record and song of the year honors

  • Jan 27, 2020
Billie Ellish poses backstage at the 62nd Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Caroline Polachek appears in a sold-out show at the Independent. (Courtesy Nedda Asfari)

Caroline Polachek, Mattiel Brown, Juliana Hatfield in town

Polachek promoting tuneful solo album ‘Pang’

Caroline Polachek appears in a sold-out show at the Independent. (Courtesy Nedda Asfari)
Guy Garvey, third from left, brings Elbow to Oakland on Jan. 20. (Courtesy Paul Husband)

Chatting with Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Maverick Sabre, Midge Ure

Garvey recounts troubled times in ‘Giants of All Sizes’

Guy Garvey, third from left, brings Elbow to Oakland on Jan. 20. (Courtesy Paul Husband)
Stevie Nicks is among the headliners of the 2020 BottleRock Napa Valley. (Courtesy photo)

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, Khalid at BottleRock

Brandi Carlile, Janelle Monáe, Zedd, Avett Brothers also among dozens of acts in three-day lineup

Stevie Nicks is among the headliners of the 2020 BottleRock Napa Valley. (Courtesy photo)
Lily Somerville, left, and Megan Markwick are IDER. (Courtesy Rory James)

IDER’s in perfect harmony, Los Lobos reminisce

Young U.K. duo, vetern rockers in The City this week

Lily Somerville, left, and Megan Markwick are IDER. (Courtesy Rory James)
Critics are comparing English rocker Sam Fender to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. (Courtesy photo)

Ten top rock records of 2019

Nothing comes close to Sam Fender’s ‘Hypersonic Missiles’

Critics are comparing English rocker Sam Fender to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. (Courtesy photo)
Dirtybird Records co-founder Christian Martin is ending an 11-year run at Mezzanine on New Year’s Eve. (Courtesy Sinful)

Christian Martin closes out Mezzanine

Dirtybird Records producer anticipates ‘emotional’ final set

Dirtybird Records co-founder Christian Martin is ending an 11-year run at Mezzanine on New Year’s Eve. (Courtesy Sinful)
Soulful Ziek McCarter leads funky San Francisco outfit Con Brio, which appears New Year’s Eve at Bottom of the Hill. (Courtesy photo)

Con Brio’s Ziek McCarter takes lessons in rap

Soul singer collaborates with Lyrics Born

  • Dec 26, 2019
Soulful Ziek McCarter leads funky San Francisco outfit Con Brio, which appears New Year’s Eve at Bottom of the Hill. (Courtesy photo)
Indiana-bred a cappella group Straight No Chaser brings its holiday concert to Davies Symphony Hall on Sunday. (Courtesy photo)

A cappella heroes Straight No Chaser stick together

Singers bring their fun seasonal show to The City

Indiana-bred a cappella group Straight No Chaser brings its holiday concert to Davies Symphony Hall on Sunday. (Courtesy photo)
Los Lobos’ new Christmas album focuses on songs from the American South and Latin America. (Rhino Records)

New holiday music that is good – really

Here are this year’s standout holiday albums deserving of attention

Los Lobos’ new Christmas album focuses on songs from the American South and Latin America. (Rhino Records)